OK so ive got the ratching noise in my right front hub, it gets way worse when I reverse. After looking everything over it seems to be the IWE or what ever you call the 4by hub. Ive checked the vacuum lines they are all fine, what else do I check and how do I know if its the hub or that control motor on the firewall? Also the 100$ question what am I looking to spend because of crap ford parts.

 

If its your hub I've replaced them for $80 several times on car-parts.com.

 

OK so I did some more checking I have vacuum at both hubs I dont know what PSI or whatever but they felt equal. Also it sounds like a ratchet and no a hum like a bearing so Im narrowing it down to a hub, also it is way worse in reverse is that common? What else should I test, if the selonid is bad both will loose vacuum right because they are the same feed right, if I pulled on off the other one didnt have vacuum meaning they are tied together so if the selonid is bad both would loose vacuum. What causes the hubs to go out so random, I havnt used 4x4 in forever and I dont even abuse my truck anymore??

 

If I have steady vacuum it means wheel end NOT the solenoid right

 

Try putting it in 4wd see what happens. If you put it in 4wd it works with no noise then you will know that there is not enough pressure to lock the hubs out and that hubs are not destroyed yet. I would double check all your vacuum lines and the solenoid for leaks. If you take the 4x4 solenoid fuse out and the noise stops, same thing. If you take the fuse out and it still makes noise it could be your iwe or hubs. Be careful with the hubs if you drive on them too much while they are not locked out all the way it will mess them up. Fortunately mine was covered under the extended warranty so they replaced both and the solenoid per the tsb. Hope that helps, that has been my experience with them and how the service writer explained it to me.

 

If there is pressure in the lines, then your hubs are disengaged. If you remove the hoses the hubs should lock. Very simple system. Bypass the solenoid by doing this, and use a vacuum tool w/pressure gauge. You can rent them at autozone, kragens, etc.

 

I had my IWE Solenoid replaced yesterday along with one vacuum line. I have a sound like dragging a tin can under the truck but only during acceleration and under load on hills. I only had the noise on one side though due to a small hole in the vacuum line allowing vac. bleed off under load. I didn't see the hole either but once the dealership showed me the line i would have never seen it by looking. They found it by taking each line off and forcing air though with one end pinched off. Good luck on finding your problem...

 

Its only one hub doing it, yes 4by makes it go away, and I have vacuum at both hubs, where should I start, solenoid or hub?

 

Start by checking the lines for leaks.

 

If I have vacuum how can I have a leak? it feels the same at both hubs

 

Like I said, bypass the solenoid. Get a pressure gun and put pressure in the lines (cap it off with a pencil or pen in the tube), if it holds pressure you're good. Go driving and see if the noise goes away. If not you will need to find out which side it is and replace the hub. Do something and let us know when you've made some degree of progress.

 

After checking the lines and if they seem fine. I would go for the solenoid. Coming from the guy who just paid $280+ to have this problem solved... i say replace it yourself first for $50 bucks and see if it solves the problem.

http://www.teamfordparts.com/partloc...layCatalogid=0

or it was $49.95 at the parts counter at the dealership.

 

Pressure tested Holds vacuum just fine replaced solenoid still there all thats left is hub right? I pulled 10 inmg or what ever and it held and thinking I might get lucky I put the new solenoid in but no luck anyone know the part number I need for the hub end?

 

best price I can do is 92 bucks for a new hub so 150 doller fix with my labor

 

There is rarely a hole in the lines, it's almost always the hubs. Car-parts.com or car-part.com is the best place for OEM used parts.